초록 ▼

A device for positioning camera modules includes a frame, at least two camera modules, and an orientor adapted for orienting the central optical axis of each camera module with respect to the frame. The orientor is adapted for orienting at least the central optical axes of the camera modules so as t

A device for positioning camera modules includes a frame, at least two camera modules, and an orientor adapted for orienting the central optical axis of each camera module with respect to the frame. The orientor is adapted for orienting at least the central optical axes of the camera modules so as to ensure overlapping fields of view, whereby the orientor is detachably mounted with respect to the frame, while the camera modules are detachably mounted with respect to the orientor.

대표청구항 ▼

What I claim is: 1. Device for cameras for taking images of an object or surface, said device being adapted to be mounted on a stabilized suspension system to be mounted on an movable vehicle moving in a movement direction at a relative speed higher than 100 km/hour with respect to the object or su

What I claim is: 1. Device for cameras for taking images of an object or surface, said device being adapted to be mounted on a stabilized suspension system to be mounted on an movable vehicle moving in a movement direction at a relative speed higher than 100 km/hour with respect to the object or surface to be taken in images, said device comprising: a frame, at least two camera modules for taking a first series of views by the first camera module and a second series of views by the second camera module, each camera module comprising a first camera portion comprising a framing sensor and a second camera portion comprising at least one lens, whereby each camera module has a central optical axis, said framing sensor being provided with means for transferring data collected by the sensor to an element selected from the group consisting of data memory, data treatment system and combinations thereof, and means adapted for orienting the central optical axis of each camera module with respect to the frame, in which the framing sensor of the first camera module adapted for taking a field of view during an exposure time of less than 0.1 second is associated to a forward motion compensation means comprising at least one piezo flexure positioner controlling a movement of the framing sensor at a substantially constant speed for a period greater than the exposure time of the framing sensor of the first camera module, in which the framing sensor of the second camera module adapted for taking a field of view during an exposure time of less than 0.1 second is associated to a forward motion compensation means comprising at least one piezo flexure positioner controlling a movement of the framing sensor at a substantially constant speed for a period greater than the exposure time, and in which the means for orienting the central optical axis of each camera module is adapted for orienting at least the central optical axis of a first camera module and the central optical axis of a second camera module, so that the first camera module and the second camera module have overlapping field of views, whereby said orienting means is mounted detachable with respect to the frame, while at least the first portion of the camera modules is mounted detachable with respect to said orienting means. 2. The device of claim 1, which comprises at least one means for positioning the means for orienting the central optical axes of the camera modules with respect to the frame. 3. The device of claim 1, in which the means for orienting the central optical axes of the camera modules is a rigid support provided with at least two passages, each passage being associated to at least one seat element adapted for contacting at least a portion of a camera module. 4. The device of claim 3, in which the rigid support is provided with an arm bearing an inertial module. 5. The device of claim 1, in which the orienting means is a support provided with at least two passages, each passage being associated to at least one seat element adapted for contacting a portion of a camera module, whereby a first seat is adapted for directing the central optical axis of a first camera module in a first direction, while a second seat is adapted for directing the central optical axis of a second camera module in a second direction, whereby the first and second directions are adapted for ensuring an overlapping of the field of view of the first camera module and the field of view of the second camera module. 6. The device of claim 1, in which the second portion of a camera module is mounted on the first portion of said camera module in a detachable way and in which at least one attachment means is adapted for maintaining the second portion in position with respect to the first portion of the camera module. 7. The device of claim 1, in which the second portion of the camera module is attached to the means for orienting the central optical axes of the camera modules. 8. The device of claim 1, in which the framing sensor of the camera module selected from the group consisting of the first camera module and the second camera module is associated to a forward motion compensation means comprising at least one piezo flexure positioner controlling a movement of the framing sensor at a substantially constant speed for a period of time greater than twice the exposure time of the framing sensor. 9. The device of claim 1, in which the framing sensor of the camera module selected from the group consisting of the first camera module and the second camera module is associated to a forward motion compensation means comprising at least one piezo flexure positioner controlling a movement of the framing sensor at a substantially constant speed for a period of time greater than five times the exposure time of the framing sensor. 10. The device of claim 1, in which the framing sensor of the camera module selected from the group consisting of the first camera module and the second camera module is mounted movable with respect to the second portion of the camera module along guiding rails. 11. The device of claim 1, in which the means for orienting the central optical axes of the camera modules is connected to the frame with interposition of a vibration absorbing means. 12. The device of claim 1, in which the orienting means is a support provided with at least four passages, each opening being associated to at least one seat element adapted for receiving a portion of a camera module, whereby a first seat is adapted for directing the central optical axis of a first camera module in a first direction, a second seat is adapted for directing the central optical axis of a second camera module in a second direction, a third seat is adapted for directing the central optical axis of a third camera module in a third direction and a fourth seat is adapted for directing the central optical axis of a fourth camera module, whereby the first and second directions are adapted for ensuring an overlapping of the field of view of the first camera module and the field of view of the second camera module, while the third and fourth directions are adapted for ensuring an overlapping of the field of view of the third camera module and the field of view of the fourth camera module. 13. The device of claim 1, in which the first and second camera modules are selected from the group consisting of IR camera modules, multi spectral camera modules, mono colour camera modules, panchromatic camera modules, and combinations thereof. 14. The device of claim 1, in which the frame is a receptacle provided with at least two passages, a first passage being adapted for placing the means for directing the central optical axis of the camera modules at least partly in the receptacle, while the second passage is adapted for ensuring the fields of view of the camera modules, and in which the receptacle is provided with means for supporting the means for directing the central optical axes of the camera modules with interposition of a vibration absorption means. 15. The device of claim 14, in which the receptacle is provided with a cover and a bottom element provided with transparent sheets, whereby defining a chamber in which the camera modules are located. 16. The device of claim 1, in which the frame is a receptacle provided with at least two passages, a first passage being adapted for placing the means for directing the central optical axes of the camera modules at least partly in the receptacle, while the second passage is adapted for ensuring the field of view of the camera modules, in which the receptacle is provided with means for supporting the means for directing the central optical axes of the camera modules with interposition of a vibration absorption means, and in which the receptacle is provided with means for connecting the receptacle on a stabilized suspension. 17. The device of claim 1, in which the frame is a receptacle provided with at least two passages, a first passage being adapted for placing the means for directing the central optical axes of the camera modules at least partly in the receptacle, while the second passage is adapted for ensuring the field of view of the camera modules, in which the receptacle is provided with means for supporting the means for directing the central optical axes of the camera modules with interposition of a vibration absorption means, in which the receptacle is provided with a cover and a bottom element with transparent sheets for defining a substantially closed chamber in which the camera modules are located, and in which the device comprises a heating element for ensuring a substantially constant temperature in the receptacle. 18. The device of claim 1, which comprises a stabilized suspension on which is connected the frame. 19. The device of claim 1, in which the framing sensor of the first camera module adapted for taking a field of view during an exposure time of less than 0.1 second is associated to a forward motion compensation means comprising at least one piezo flexure positioner controlling a movement of the framing sensor of less than 100 μm at a substantially constant speed for a period greater than the exposure time of the framing sensor of the first camera module, and in which the framing sensor of the second camera module adapted for taking a field of view during an exposure time of less than 0.1 second is associated to a forward compensation means comprising at least one piezo flexure positioner controlling a movement of the framing sensor of less than 100 μm at a substantially constant speed for a period greater than the exposure time of the framing sensor of the second camera module. 20. The device of claim 1, in which the second portion of said at least two camera modules comprises at least two lenses and a shutter located between said two lenses. 21. A camera module comprising a first portion with at least a framing sensor and a second portion comprising at least one lens, whereby the camera module has a central optical axis, said framing sensor being provided with means for transferring data collected by the sensor to an element selected from the group consisting of data memory, data treatment system and combinations thereof whereby the camera module is adapted for taking a view in a exposure time of less than 0.1 second, in which the framing sensor of the camera module is mounted movable with respect to the second portion, and in which the framing sensor adapted for taking a field of view during an exposure time of less than 0.1 second is associated at least to a piezo flexure positioner ensuring at least a movement of the framing sensor at a substantially constant speed for a period of time greater than the exposure time. 22. The module of claim 21, in which the framing sensor adapted for taking a field of view during an exposure time of less than 0.1 second is associated at least to a piezo flexure positioner ensuring at least a movement of the framing sensor at a substantially constant speed for a period of time greater than 5 times the exposure time. 23. The module of claim 21, in which the framing sensor is movable along guiding rails. 24. The module of claim 21, which is selected from the group consisting of IR camera modules, multi spectral camera modules, mono colour camera modules, panchromatic camera modules, and combinations thereof. 25. The module of claim 21, in which the second portion of the camera module comprises at least two lenses and a shutter located between said two lenses. 26. A flying apparatus provided with cameras for taking images of an object or surface, said apparatus being adapted to move in a forward motion direction at a relative speed higher than 100 km/hour with respect to the object or surface to be taken in images, said flying apparatus comprising a stabilized suspension on which a device with distinct camera modules is mounted, said device comprising: a frame, at least two camera modules for taking a first series of views by the first camera module and a second series of views by the second camera module, each camera module comprising a first camera portion comprising a framing sensor and a second camera portion comprising at least one lens, whereby each camera module has a central optical axis, said framing sensor being provided with means for transferring data collected by the sensor to an element selected from the group consisting of data memory, data treatment system and combinations thereof, and means adapted for orienting the central optical axis of each camera module with respect to the frame, in which the framing sensor of the first camera module adapted for taking a field of view during an exposure time of less than 0.1 second is associated to a forward motion compensation means comprising at least one piezo flexure positioner controlling a movement of the framing sensor at a substantially constant speed for a period greater than the exposure time of the framing sensor of the first camera module, in which the framing sensor of the second camera module adapted for taking a field of view during an exposure time of less than 0.1 second is associated to a forward motion compensation means comprising at least one piezo flexure positioner controlling a movement of the framing sensor at a substantially constant speed for a period greater than the exposure time, and in which the means for orienting the central optical axis of each camera module is adapted for orienting at least the central optical axis of a first camera module and the central optical axis of a second camera module, so that the first camera module and the second camera module have overlapping field of views, whereby said orienting means is mounted detachable with respect to the frame, while at least the first portion of the camera modules is mounted detachable with respect to said orienting means. 27. The apparatus of claim 26, in which the device comprises at least one means for positioning the means for orienting the central optical axes of the camera modules with respect to the frame. 28. The apparatus of claim 26, in which the means for orienting the central optical axes of the camera modules is a rigid support provided with at least two passages, each passage being associated to at least one seat element adapted for contacting at least a portion of a camera module. 29. The apparatus of claim 26, in which the rigid support is provided with an arm on which is attached an inertial module. 30. The apparatus of claim 26, in which the orienting means is a support provided with at least two passages, each passage being associated to at least one seat element adapted for contacting a portion of a camera module, whereby a first seat is adapted for directing the central optical axis of a first camera module in a first direction, while a second seat is adapted for directing the central optical axis of a second camera module in a second direction, whereby the first and second directions are adapted for ensuring an overlapping of the field of view of the first camera module and the field of view of the second camera module. 31. The apparatus of claim 26, in which the second portion of a camera module is mounted on the first portion of said camera module in a detachable way and in which at least one attachment means is adapted for maintaining the second portion in position with respect to the first portion of the camera module. 32. The apparatus of claim 26, in which the second portion of the camera module is attached to the means for orienting the central optical axes of the camera modules. 33. The apparatus of claim 26, in which the camera module selected from the group consisting of the first camera module and the second camera module is adapted for taking a field of view in a exposure time of less than 0.1 second, in which the framing sensor of the camera module selected from the group consisting of the first camera module and the second camera module is mounted movable with respect to the second portion of the camera module considered, and in which the framing sensor of the camera module selected from the group consisting of the first camera module and the second camera module is associated to a forward motion compensation means comprising at least one piezo flexure positioner ensuring at least a movement of the framing sensor at a substantially constant speed for a period of time greater than twice the exposure time of the framing sensor. 34. The apparatus of claim 26, in which the camera module selected from the group consisting of the first camera module and the second camera module is adapted for taking a field of view in a exposure time of less than 0.1 second, in which the framing sensor of a camera module is mounted movable with respect to the second portion of the camera module considered, and in which the framing sensor of the camera module selected from the group consisting of the first camera module and the second camera module is associated to a forward motion compensation means comprising at least one piezo flexure positioner ensuring at least a movement of the framing sensor at a substantially constant speed for a period of time greater than 5 times the exposure time of the framing sensor. 35. The apparatus of claim 26, in which the framing sensor of the camera module selected from the group consisting of the first camera module and the second camera module is mounted movable with respect to the second portion of the camera module along guiding rails. 36. The apparatus of claim 26, in which the means for orienting the central optical axis of the camera modules is connected to the frame with interposition of a vibration absorbing means. 37. The apparatus of claim 26, in which the orienting means is a support provided with at least four passages, each opening being associated to at least one seat element adapted for receiving a portion of a camera module, whereby a first seat is adapted for directing the central optical axis of a first camera module in a first direction, a second seat is adapted for directing the central optical axis of a second camera module in a second direction, a third seat is adapted for directing the central optical axis of a third camera module in a third direction and a fourth seat is adapted for directing the central optical axis of a fourth camera module, whereby the first and second directions are adapted for ensuring an overlapping of the field of view of the first camera module and the field of view of the second camera module, while the third and fourth directions are adapted for ensuring an overlapping of the field of view of the third camera module and the field of view of the fourth camera module. 38. The apparatus of claim 26, in which the camera module is selected from the group consisting of IR camera module, multi spectral camera module, mono colour camera module, panchromatic camera module, and combinations thereof. 39. The apparatus of claim 26, in which the frame is a receptacle provided with at least two passages, a first passage being adapted for placing the means for directing the central optical axis of the camera modules at least partly in the receptacle, while the second passage is adapted for ensuring the fields of view of the camera modules, and in which the receptacle is provided with means for supporting the means for directing the central optical axes of the camera modules with interposition of a vibration absorption means. 40. The apparatus of claim 39, in which the receptacle is provided with a cover and a bottom element provided with transparent sheets, whereby defining a chamber in which the camera modules are located. 41. The apparatus of claim 26, in which the frame is a receptacle provided with at least two passages, a first passage being adapted for placing the means for directing the central optical axes of the camera modules at least partly in the receptacle, while the second passage is adapted for ensuring the field of view of the camera modules, in which the receptacle is provided with means for supporting the means for directing the central optical axes of the camera modules with interposition of a vibration absorption means, and in which the receptacle is provided with means for connecting the receptacle on a stabilized suspension. 42. The apparatus of claim 26, in which the frame is a receptacle provided with at least two passages, a first passage being adapted for placing the means for directing the central optical axes of the camera modules at least partly in the receptacle, while the second passage is adapted for ensuring the field of view of the camera modules, in which the receptacle is provided with means for supporting the means for directing the central optical axes of the camera modules with interposition of a vibration absorption means, in which the receptacle is provided with a cover and a bottom element with transparent sheets for defining a substantially closed chamber in which the camera modules are located, and in which the device comprises a heating element for ensuring a substantially constant temperature in the receptacle. 43. The apparatus of claim 26, in which the framing sensor of the first camera module adapted for taking a field of view during an exposure time of less than 0.1 second is associated to a forward motion compensation means comprising at least one piezo flexure positioner controlling a movement of the framing sensor of less than 100 μm at a substantially constant speed for a period greater than the exposure time of the framing sensor of the first camera module, and in which the framing sensor of the second camera module adapted for taking a field of view during an exposure time of less than 0.1 second is associated to a forward compensation means comprising at least one piezo flexure positioner controlling a movement of the framing sensor of less than 100 μm at a substantially constant speed for a period greater than the exposure time of the framing sensor of the second camera module. 44. The flying apparatus of claim 26, in which the second portion of said at least two camera modules comprises at least two lenses and a shutter located between said two lenses. 45. A flying apparatus provided with cameras for taking images of an object or surface, said apparatus being adapted to move in a movement direction at a relative speed higher than 100 km/hour with respect to the object or surface to be taken in images, said flying apparatus comprising a stabilized suspension on which a device with at least one camera module is mounted, whereby at least one camera module comprises a first portion with a framing sensor and a second portion with at least one lens, whereby the camera module has a central optical axis, said framing sensor being provided with means for transferring data collected by the sensor to an element selected from the group consisting of data memory, data treatment system and combinations thereof, whereby the camera module is adapted for taking a view in a exposure time of less than 0.1 second, in which the framing sensor of the camera module is mounted movable with respect to the second portion, and in which the framing sensor is associated to a forward motion compensation means comprising at least one piezo flexure positioner ensuring a movement of the framing sensor at a substantially constant speed for a period of time greater than the exposure time. 46. The apparatus of claim 45, in which the framing sensor is associated to forward motion compensation means comprising at least one piezo flexure positioner ensuring a movement of the framing sensor at a substantially constant speed for a period of time greater than twice the exposure time. 47. The apparatus of claim 45, in which the framing sensor is associated to piezo flexure positioner ensuring a movement of the framing sensor at a substantially constant speed for a period of time greater than five times the exposure time, with respect to the second portion of the camera module in a direction opposite to the movement direction of the flying apparatus. 48. The apparatus of claim 45, in which the framing sensor is movable along guiding rails. 49. The apparatus of claim 45, in which the camera module is selected from the group consisting of IR camera modules, multi spectral camera modules, mono colour camera modules, panchromatic camera modules, and combinations thereof. 50. The apparatus of claim 45, in which the camera module comprises a supporting piece bearing the framing sensor, as well as electronic control means for said framing sensor, said supporting piece having a first edge and a second edge opposite to the first edge, whereby the module comprises two piezo flexure positioners having each a moving part, the moving part of a first piezo flexure positioner being attached to the first edge of the supporting piece, while the moving part of the second piezo flexure positioner is attached to the second edge of the supporting piece. 51. The apparatus of claim 45, in which the device mounted on the stabilized suspension is provided with several distinct camera modules. 52. The apparatus of claim 45, in which the framing sensor of the first camera module adapted for taking a field of view during an exposure time of less than 0.1 second is associated to a forward motion compensation means comprising at least one piezo flexure positioner controlling a movement of the framing sensor of less than 100 μm at a substantially constant speed for a period greater than the exposure time of the framing sensor of the first camera module, and in which the framing sensor of the second camera module adapted for taking a field of view during an exposure time of less than 0.1 second is associated to a forward compensation means comprising at least one piezo flexure positioner controlling a movement of the framing sensor of less than 100 μm at a substantially constant speed for a period greater than the exposure time of the framing sensor of the second camera module. 53. The flying apparatus of claim 45, in which the second portion of said at least one camera module comprises at least two lenses and a shutter located between said two lenses. 54. A process for taking images of an object or surface from a flying apparatus moving in a forward motion direction at a relative speed higher than 100 km/hour with respect to the object or surface to be taken in images, in which the flying apparatus is provided with a stabilized suspension system on which a device with distinct camera modules is mounted, said device comprising: a frame, at least two camera modules for taking a first series of views by the first camera module and a second series of views by the second camera module, each camera module comprising a first camera portion comprising a framing sensor and a second camera portion comprising at least one lens, whereby each camera module has a central optical axis, said framing sensor being provided with means for transferring data collected by the sensor to an element selected from the group consisting of data memory, data treatment system and combinations thereof, and means adapted for orienting the central optical axis of each camera module with respect to the frame, whereby the framing sensor of the first camera module adapted for taking a series of field of view, each field of view being taken during an exposure time of less than 0.1 second, the framing sensor being associated to a forward motion compensation means comprising at least one piezo flexure positioner controlling a movement of the framing sensor at a substantially constant speed for a period greater than the exposure time of the framing sensor of the first camera module, so as to ensure a forward motion compensation for the views taken by the framing sensor, whereby the framing sensor of the second camera module adapted for taking a series of field of view, each field of view being taken during an exposure time of less than 0.1 second, the framing sensor being associated to a forward motion compensation means comprising at least one piezo flexure positioner controlling a movement of the framing sensor at a substantially constant speed for a period greater than the exposure time of the framing sensor of the first camera module, so as to ensure a forward motion compensation for the views taken by the framing sensor, and in which the means for orienting the central optical axis of each camera module is adapted for orienting at least the central optical axis of the first camera module and the central optical axis of the second camera module, so that the first camera module and the second camera module have overlapping field of views between the fields of view taken by the framing sensor of the first camera module and the fields of view taken by the framing sensor of the second camera module. 55. The process of claim 54, in which the second portion of said at least two camera modules comprises at least two lenses and a shutter located between said two lenses.